Reflections from the Dad of a graduating Senior....

• Dad4Sports

  Some of you may have noticed my absence from the wrestling forums. Well it was a tough few weeks for us after the way my son’s (Brady Hutchins – Canal Winchester) career ended at the state tournament. He lost a heart-breaking 8-6 decision to eventual D2 125 champ Tyler Hackworth (Oak Harbor) in the quarters. He was injured in that match but was certainly well enough to give it a go 90 minutes later in the match to get on the podium. Unfortunately, he was thrown in the last 20 seconds of a 1-1 match to end it all (to the River View opponent he had defeated 16-8 the weekend before at District). Tough way to end a career after having title hopes dashed in the quarters….very tough.
  
  Graduation is done and the parties have all ended….high school is now a memory. I guess I decided to write this to give some insight to you parents of Juniors/Seniors to be. It’s absolutely amazing to experience the suddenness of how quickly it all comes to an end. You can get so wrapped up in the prize at the end of the rainbow that sometimes it’s easy to overlook the journey to get there. The season is such a grind as you go through it, that it’s very easy to “wish” for the end to hurry up and arrive. DON’T DO IT. It’s cliché, but so very true…..take a breath now and then along the way to soak it all in. Luckily we recorded all Brady’s matches over the years so I’ve been able to take a little time to dig them out….time to refresh those memories that passed by too quickly.
  
  As I did this, I decided to put together a video of Brady’s pin history……he had 113 of them in his career. YouTube limits you to 15 min, so I edited it down to the last 15 seconds each from the top 50 or so. I know posters usually get roasted for “bragging” when posting things like this……so be it, go ahead if you must. I wanted to do this as a gift to my son for providing us with so many thrills over the years…it was a great ride! Enjoy Brady………
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNL90scNg50
  
  Back to the reflections…….I think it’s pretty obvious as I re-viewed the 113 pins, that probably close to 100 of them were with a basic half-nelson (can you say Gene Mills). You can have a pretty good high school career if you can perfect a couple of “go to” moves……kids, work hard to find what works best for you. It’s great to have lots of tricks in your bag, but if something works stick with it until they stop you! Everyone knew the half and the Granby/Peterson were coming….most times it didn’t matter though. Also, yes it is possible to start wrestling in middle school and still have great high school success. Brady barely knew the rules when he started in 7th grade! Of course you will be behind the curve a bit, but if you work hard and really want it…..it most certainly can be done.
  
  I’ve been around sports for almost all of my 52 years…..and I can say without hesitation that the sport of wrestling is the toughest that I have been associated with. My hat goes off to EVERY kid that steps on the mat….you are all winners. The mental and physical toughness needed in this sport is overwhelming. To be able to do what these kids do while staying up with the demands in the classroom…..truly the definition of “student-athletes”. Believe me wrestlers…..it will pay off down the road.
  
  I’ve made some great friends in the past few years……both in person and on these forums. If you see me at a match sometime….stop by and say Hi! Thanks for letting me share. I’ll be around……
• headlock165

  Dad, you provide a very insightful and heartfelt perspective. I'm sure your son appreciates the support and the bond that wrestling provides many fathers and sons.
• cruiser_96

  

  Awesome. Thanks, dad.
• MatsandBats

  Very nice. What are Brady's plans for the future? Good luck to him. He has always represented hisself, his school, and his family well on and off the wrestling mat.
• Coach Geisz

  Looks like a little Gene Mills mixed with Granby System. Nice!
• Dad4Sports

  After much thought, Brady has decided that he wants to "just be a college student". He will be attending Ohio University on a full 4-year tuition academic scholarship.....majoring in computer science with a minor in meteorology. With 4 kids in college next year, the scholarship is well appreciated!! The folks at OU better be prepared to keep that food buffet well stocked.....look out!
• lowsingle174

  Dad4Sports;810733 wrote:After much thought, Brady has decided that he wants to "just be a college student". He will be attending Ohio University on a full 4-year tuition academic scholarship.....majoring in computer science with a minor in meteorology. With 4 kids in college next year, the scholarship is well appreciated!! The folks at OU better be prepared to keep that food buffet well stocked.....look out!

  
  Congrats, Great Kid, Great dad, and GREAT choice for school. I'm sure he will love OU. I did and everyone I know did as well.! Good luck in future endeavors, and you get the itch to wrestle, talk to coach Greenlee, He is a super person.
• Cthelites

  Dad GREAT STUFF!!!!
  I feel fortunate that I got a chance to meet you and had my son get to experience wrestling against a truly great kid in Brady last yr. You both are class acts and we are in the plus for getting to know you guys. I dont feel too bad about adding 2 to that 113, but did you have to show them both? lol!
  
  Good luck to Brady and your other 2 out of that triple pack in your family in the future. I hope you stay on these boards to add insight and the ever great knowledge you bring with the cut and paste tool.
  
  This is why wrestling is such a great sport. You get a chance to meet great people like the Hutchins and even become friends with those families that your kids are competing against.
• cruiser_96

  

  Cthelites;814125 wrote:Dad GREAT STUFF!!!!
  I feel fortunate that I got a chance to meet you and had my son get to experience wrestling against a truly great kid in Brady last yr. You both are class acts and we are in the plus for getting to know you guys. I dont feel too bad about adding 2 to that 113, but did you have to show them both? lol!
  
  Good luck to Brady and your other 2 out of that triple pack in your family in the future. I hope you stay on these boards to add insight and the ever great knowledge you bring with the cut and paste tool.
  
  This is why wrestling is such a great sport. You get a chance to meet great people like the Hutchins and even become friends with those families that your kids are competing against.

  
  +1.
• zambrown

  

  Having my only son about to start his senior year, your post made me cry. Of course, most anything that reminds of how soon it's all going to be over does. :/ What a beautiful and heart felt post, Dad4sports. I will heed your advice and enjoy every minute of the year I have left with him. Congrats to Brady on the academic scholarship! You have to be both proud and relieved. LOL
• I Wear Pants

  Excellent post. Feelings like that are why I love the sport. The end of your senior season is so bittersweet. It's part "I made it, I'm done, where's the food" and part just wanting to cry because what you've done for much of the past decade (in my case) is now done. Then you get over that and wrestle some open tournaments, help with your high school's team when you're in town, discover grappling/bjj.
  
  I cannot imagine my life without the sport. At all, it'd be entirely different and it's scary how close I was to not continuing wrestling in junior high. Without that my friends, my self (physically and mentally), as well as my family would be radically different. Strange to think about.